February 8th update

I know. I know. Why has it been so long since I updated the blog? I guess I’ve been a little busy lately and the blog was not the first thing on my honey-do list. I’ll try to do better in the future.

The days following Laurie’s 2nd chemo were good, but Laurie forgot how the anti-nausea meds are gradually reduced within the first 4 days of the cycle, so by the end of the week, she was down to eating smaller meals again. She also experienced very low energy levels over the weekend, and that was very difficult for her. She wanted to be doing something. Anything. But just did not feel like it. Thank goodness for understanding family members. :-) By mid Tuesday, her energy began to return, and she was able to return to "normal" activity (yes, her definition of this has had to change too, at least for now). She is working from home four hours every day which is good because it keeps her in tune to everything going on at Orange Business Services and allows her to focus on something outside of everything that's going on.

Now for the question of the week. Has she lost her hair? In her words, the good news is that she still has her eyebrows and she no longer has to shave her legs! TMI? She told me to include this. But many of you are probably thinking of the hair on her head, and this is truly an example how every person is different. She had heard many stories that she would begin losing her hair by the 3rd week or so, and when it started falling out, it would fall quickly (within 3 days was one quote). Laurie did begin losing her hair during the 3rd week. In fact she sent me an email that said “Day 18. My hair has begun to fall out”. It has not fallen out quickly. In fact, for at least 2 weeks, she felt like she had just gotten a haircut and had that "itch on her neck" since it was falling out so gradually. Even now, some of it is still hanging on! In fact, it sort of looks like she went for a Mohawk look in the back! But she is really glad she had Jodie at Shapes shave it before her first treatment. That made the gradual loss even more bearable as it wasn't as obvious to everyone else, and the kids were able to get used to the wig as well as the "home look" of bandanas or turbans. Since the children think the wig from the American Cancer Society is the one that looks "normal", that is the one she will wear for now. But the spring may bring on a new look as she has another wig which has a slightly different style with highlights and is not as dark and it really looks great. The kids just want Mom to look like she always has and we understand that.

Last week, on Thursday the 29th, we were treated to roast chicken, mashed potatoes, a veggies medley and scrumptious apple pie by Martha from Oak Hill ES. Thanks Martha! Please continue to take care of yourself as you recover from your fall last year.

Then on Super Bowl Sunday, Kristen and Jeremy from Ox Hill Baptist Church brought us Super Bowl cuisine which included Manwich sandwiches, chips and salsa, cole slaw and the boys' favorite, brownies! Thanks Kristen and Jeremy!

This past Tuesday our meal was prepared by the 1st grade team at Floris ES. They provided chicken tenders, steamed vegetables, macaroni & cheese, and chocolate chip cookies. Yum, yum!

Even though I have not done my part lately in keeping up with the blog, we still need and appreciate your prayers, well wishes and assistance. Please don’t stop! We still have a long road ahead of us and will depend on the Lord’s help as well as yours. Enjoy this wonderful spring weather while it lasts. I’ll update again soon.

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